Is Education a Lost Cause?

Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about learning and could wax lyrical about how important education is and how we have to try our best to ‘get it right’. As I started to prepare to write this article; a task that asked me to list successes within education, I was shocked about what I learnt about myself … I lean towards pessimism!


Why is this? I launched into research and soon soothed myself by the fact that the human condition favours pessimism over optimism as it sounds more plausible. For example: tell someone that everything will work out fine and you will probably get a polite dismissal or platitude. Tell someone that they are in danger (or something serious is going wrong) and you will have their undivided attention!


I brought this insight with me to a recent lunchtime chat with a placement student of mine (who has recently left school) and her mentor. To their credit and good humour, they allowed me to ramble on until I asked them about their views on what has been a success within their own educational experience.


Silence.


I took this as first hand proof of the human proclivity towards pessimism.


But when they answered in joint chorus, “knowing that my teacher cared for me”, I could not help but smile.


Pastoral care is a true and lasting success of education. Our children and young people come to our schools from a range of backgrounds and experiences but school is the constant; a place filled with people who are there just for them. Educational debate around the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is huge at the moment. I would champion its use in regards to personalising the learning experience or streamlining processes but it can never replace that which is most important - relationships. We all need and crave a deep sense of connection and belonging no matter what our age and stage.


With lunch over I wanted to find out more about the successes there have been within education over the years and with no one else to consult, I turned to my computer; a Large Language Model (LLM) to be precise. Immediately, as soon as I hit ‘enter’, a profound list of accomplishments appeared on screen:


  • More students than ever are in school
  • Technology is revolutionising education
  • Teaching has become more inclusive and innovative
  • We are learning to value teachers more (Are we? Sorry my pessimism needs to challenge this one!)
  • Education is adapting to global changes


My screen was positively overflowing with optimism. ‘Definitely not human’ I thought to myself. But the AI’s summary heading made me pause: ‘Embrace Creativity for the Next Frontier”.


This made me think. Creativity, alongside relationships, is another success of educational practice. We are all creative, either consciously or subconsciously, in whatever task we are doing and it is our role as educators to help our pupils be creative in design, thought or approach, especially in a world that is embracing technology more and more.


As I write, two alternate thoughts swirl within my mind:

Does educational progress happen too slowly to notice? Or do topical, educational trends occur too quick to ignore?


The latter would always make education a failure by default. All I know is that continued improvements within the education sector must be built upon evidence based research, utilising the learnings from cognitive science. For me, continued success within pedagogy must be formed upon knowing what works.


For the sake of having a balanced argument, I will end on an optimistic note:

“Rather than lamenting what’s not working, we should focus on what’s been built and how we can expand upon success. Education is not a lost cause—it’s a dynamic force that’s been evolving for the better over the past 15 years. Let’s continue to push it forward, not by fearing failure, but by embracing it as part of the process toward even greater achievements.” LLM 2024


Not too shabby, AI, not too shabby at all.


BIOGRAPHY

Bernard Noble is an educational consultant and founder of Learning Me. With a background as a school leader, pastoral care lead and SENDCO, he has expertise in pedagogy, educational policy, nurture, neurodiversity and learning disabilities. Passionate about holistic education, Bernard is a strong advocate for making emotional health and wellbeing strategies explicit.

Bernard Noble • February 24, 2025

Our Students Stories Matter

By Stefani Tieri Georges • April 17, 2026
In the words of Sydney J. Harris, “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” Few stories illustrate this truth more clearly than that of Ricardinio, a resilient young boy whose life was reshaped by learning, creativity, and compassionate support. Ricardinio is a displaced child living with HIV who once called the streets of Port au Prince home. When armed gangs overtook his neighbourhood, he was forced to flee, leaving behind everything familiar. The trauma of displacement, coupled with the daily realities of managing a chronic illness, left him navigating fear, uncertainty, and isolation. Everything changed when he gained access to the Resource Learning Centre at Cima Community School of Hope based in Limonade, Haïti. Within its safe walls, Ricardinio found stability, encouragement, and a sense of belonging that had been missing for far too long. The centre became more than a place of academic support; it became a catalyst for his healing. There, he discovered a surprising and transformative passion: drawing. What began as a quiet pastime soon unfolded into a powerful means of expression. Art offered him peace where chaos once lived, and possibility where hope had been fading. With guidance from mentors and access to materials he had never had before, Ricardinio started to see a future shaped not by loss, but by talent and imagination. Ricardinio learned to sew, paint and a new language, English. He made the outfit he is wearing in the photo below for a recent fashion show. His journey reminds us that for many young people, particularly those facing profound health or social challenges, that education is far more than curriculum. It is a lifeline to identity, purpose, and renewed hope. When a learning space nurtures the whole child, it turns windows toward new horizons, ensuring that even in the most difficult circumstances, every learner can envision a brighter future. BY STEFANI TIERI GEORGES Programme and Strategy Manager Sonje Ayiti, Limonade Haiti.

How do we Ensure Education is Inclusive and Reaches Marginalised Groups?

By Professor Nira Chamberlain • April 15, 2026
Growing up in 1970s and 80s Britain, son of Jamaican immigrants, all I cared about was mathematics, mathematics and mathematics. I didn’t see the need for black role models; all I cared about was numbers. Then I reached teenage years, the opportunity to enter the educational community was not the same for people of my colour. I was being directed to become a boxer not a mathematician. A generation later my son was being pushed in the direction of singing, not a career in STEM. My story is not unique and there are many other marginalised groups. Creating an education system that genuinely includes marginalised groups isn’t just a moral imperative — it’s a practical one. When people are excluded, societies lose talent, creativity, and economic potential. So what can be done? Here are seven starters for ten: 1. Remove Barriers to Access Many marginalised learners are excluded long before they reach a classroom. Key Strategies: Eliminate financial barriers: scholarships, free school meals, subsidised transport, no-fee schooling. Provide flexible learning options: evening classes, community-based learning, mobile schools for nomadic groups. Invest in infrastructure: safe buildings, accessible facilities for disabled learners, and reliable internet in rural areas. 2. Make Learning Culturally Relevant Education becomes inclusive when learners see themselves reflected in it. What this looks like: Curriculum that includes diverse histories, languages, and perspectives. Teaching materials that avoid stereotypes and represent all groups. Community involvement in designing educational programs. Don’t just consider the marginalised groups at certain special events, but all year round. 3. Train and Support Teachers Teachers are the frontline of inclusion. Effective Approaches: Training in inclusive pedagogy and unconscious bias. Recruiting teachers from marginalised communities. Providing classroom assistants or specialists (e.g., sign language interpreters). Get teachers to be seconded in diverse areas, so they can grow to learn and appreciate different cultures. 4. Use Technology Thoughtfully, technology can widen access — or deepen inequality if used poorly. Inclusive Uses of Technology: Low-bandwidth digital learning tools for remote areas. Assistive technologies for learners with disabilities. Online platforms that allow flexible pacing and personalised learning. Keep Libraries open so that marginalised communities can access the digital world. 5. Strengthen Policies and Accountability Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident; it needs structure. I have written a paper called treating EDI as a Science Problem. It introduces Chamberlain’s Law that states this “If all things are equal what numbers do we expect to see?” On this basis, we should be able to consider things such as Anti-discrimination laws in education. Data collection on who is being left out and why. Funding formulas that allocate more resources to disadvantaged schools. 6. Engage Families and Communities There are examples where marginalised groups distrust institutions for good historical reasons. These are some of the ways to build trust: Community-led outreach programs. Parent education initiatives. Schools are partnering with local leaders, NGOs, and cultural organisations. 7. Support Learners Beyond Academics Barriers to education are often social, emotional, or economic. Holistic support: Mental health services. School meals and health checks. Safe transport and anti-bullying programs. In conclusion, these points are not comprehensive or exhaustive. However, it is a benefit to us all when education is for all. BY PROFESSOR NIRA CHAMBERLAIN OBE FIMA FORS CSci PhD HonDSc DUniv 1st AtkinsRéalis Technical Fellow for Mathematical Modelling AtkinsRéalis, Six Mathematical Doctorates. Mathematics Professor. Founder of the Black Heroes of Mathematics Conference. Science Communicator

The Transformative Power of Education

By Ed Harlow • April 13, 2026
I have always been a believer in the transformative power of education. Education can never be seen solely as a didactic pursuit. It is in many ways an act of love. Helping children to carve out their own place in the world and to understand the complexities of culture, society, history, and anthropology. Education becomes especially vital in times of conflict and unrest. When societies are divided by violence, political instability, or deep social tensions, education offers one of the most powerful tools for rebuilding communities and creating a more peaceful future. Schools are not only places where children learn academic subjects; they must be environments where values, perspectives, and skills are formed. In periods of crisis, the role of education expands beyond knowledge transmission to include fostering tolerance and equipping them with critical thinking skills that allow them to navigate complex realities. One of the most important functions of education during conflict is the promotion of tolerance and mutual understanding. Conflict often arises from fear, misunderstanding, and deeply rooted prejudices between groups. When children grow up hearing only one narrative about others, divisions can become stronger over time. Education can counteract this by exposing students to different cultures, histories, and viewpoints. Through inclusive curricula and classroom discussions, children can learn that diversity is not a threat but a natural and valuable part of human society. Teaching empathy and respect helps young people see beyond stereotypes and recognise the shared humanity in others. In the long term, these attitudes can reduce the likelihood that future generations will repeat cycles of hostility. We can see in conflict zones now that there is often a parallel battle in schools for control of the narrative. Arguments over textbooks in Palestine, for example, are longstanding with different cultural interpretations of certain themes or even individual words or pictures being used to justify political ends. Conflict can create feelings of fear, confusion, and powerlessness, particularly for young people. Schools can provide a sense of stability and normality when much of life feels unpredictable. In addition to this emotional support, education helps students understand the social, political, and historical forces shaping their circumstances. By learning about how societies function, how conflicts arise, and how they can be resolved, children gain a clearer sense of their role as members of a community and as citizens. This understanding empowers them to imagine a future beyond the conflict they are experiencing and to see themselves as participants in rebuilding their societies. Another key aspect of education in times of unrest is the development of critical thinking skills. In environments marked by propaganda, misinformation, and polarised narratives, the ability to evaluate information carefully becomes essential. This is especially vital in the modern world with the proliferation of social media, citizen journalism, and algorithms which are designed to reinforce and amplify the worldview of the user or to promote violent or extreme material. Children and young people who learn how to question sources, analyse arguments, and consider multiple perspectives are far less likely to be manipulated by extremist ideologies or false information. Critical thinking allows individuals to move beyond simplistic explanations and to recognise the complexity of social and political issues. This skill is crucial not only for personal decision-making but also for the health of democracy. Furthermore, critical thinking encourages dialogue rather than division. When students learn to examine ideas thoughtfully and listen to differing opinions, they become more capable of engaging in constructive discussions. This ability is particularly important in post-conflict societies where reconciliation and cooperation are necessary for long-term peace. Instead of reacting with hostility to disagreement, educated individuals are more likely to seek understanding and compromise. We must build education systems with this in mind. Many curricula and systems have focused on standards and testing to the detriment of true critical thinking. With the rapid onset of AI and the proliferation of algorithm-driven information access, it is more vital than ever that critical thinking, media literacy, social skills, and dialogue are placed at the heart of education and schools. While education alone cannot resolve every conflict, it lays the intellectual and moral foundations that make lasting peace possible. Investing in education during difficult times is not only an investment in individual development but also in the stability and future of entire communities.  BY ED HARLOW NEU PRESIDENT (1ST JANUARY 2026 – 31ST DECEMBER 2026) Ed has been a secondary music teacher and head of department at Highgate Wood School in London for nearly 20 years. Elected to the National Executive in 2021, and as Junior Vice-President in 2024, he has helped shape policy, taking a particular interest in restoring the arts and creative subjects in the Curriculum.